SAM ALLARDYCE toasted one of the best wins of his career as 10-man West Ham left Millwall red-faced.

Goals from Carlton Cole and Winston Reid sealed a famous win despite Kevin Nolan’s red card for a foul on Jack Smith just nine minutes into this fierce and fiery derby clash.

Nolan became the seventh player sent off in referee Mike Jones’ 19 games this season and Allardyce slammed the official afterwards. But he also hailed his heroes for delivering West Ham’s first league win over Millwall in 21 years.

Allardyce said: “That is by far one of the best wins I’ve ever had in my managerial career.

“To play in a local derby, go down to 10 men in the first nine minutes and go on to give a performance like we did was outstanding.

“Kevin is only going for the ball with one foot. He’s not off the floor and he’s not out of control, so it was a poor decision by the referee.”

Liam Trotter briefly pulled Millwall level after Cole opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Reid volleyed the winner on 69 minutes, though Lions keeper David Forde appeared to be fouled in the build-up. But Millwall have never won a league game at Upton Park and deserved nothing.

That is by far one of the best wins I’ve ever had in my managerial caree

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce

Lions boss Kenny Jackett said of the controversial winner: “It is a definite free-kick when you go in as ferociously as that and take the keeper’s legs from under him.

“As for the sending-off, if you do tackle two-footed it seems to be a red card in the current climate.”